Articles by Kamroy Ogilvie

Technology

Jamaica Pavilion Wins Silver Award at Expo 2025 Japan

The Jamaica Pavilion walked away with a Silver Award at Expo 2025 Japan. The island was recognised for theme development in the shared pavilions ‘Connecting Lives’ category. Kazakhstan won the Gold Medal while the East African country of Djibouti received the Bronze. The Official Participants Awards were presented at the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Day Awards Ceremony on Sunday (October 12) in the Expo Hall. A total of 45 Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards and four new Sustainability Awards were presented during the ceremony. “When our name was called for a prize, we were elated, and as always, once we hear Jamaica on a global stage, it boosts our national pride. It is wonderful that the team could come together and present this Pavilion, which earned a prestigious award,” said Commissioner General of Section, Jamaica Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Maureen Smith. The Official Participant Awards, presented at every World Expo recognise various aspects of pavilions, including architecture and landscape, external design, exhibition design, theme development and sustainability. A total of 158 countries participated in the Expo in various clusters, showcasing different themes. Jamaica was among 26 countries featured in the Commons B shared pavilion in the Connecting Lives zone. The pavilion stood out for its cultural vibrancy, collaborative spirit and sustainable innovation. In explaining the sub-theme, Connecting Lives, Mrs. Smith noted that the concept centres on collaboration. “It’s about working together towards achieving our sustainable development goals. I know all the countries are trying to work together towards a sustainable future, and so this Expo presented that platform for us to do so,” she said. She noted that partners from Jamaica and Japan worked to bring the title of the Pavilion ‘Out of Many, One People: Let’s Link Up’ to life. “For example, the entrance has a mural which was created by a Jamaican Japanese couple – Marvin and Reika Thompson, who also created other key elements of the Pavilion, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pushcart and the grill for the jerk chicken,” said Mrs. Smith. Other key partners were Ogawa Coffee; the Association of Japanese Importers of Jamaican Coffee; RUDDER, distributors of Worthy Park Rum in Japan; Gangalee Kitchen; Universal Music; and Link Up Jaja, which all contributed to showcasing different aspects of the Jamaican culture. “We were very happy for those kinds of partnerships, thanks to the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan… a lot of those on-the-ground connections was because of our Embassy. We truly appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards and her team who were very instrumental in that regard,” Mrs. Smith told JIS News. She noted that a partnership made from Jamaica’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai generated the Near-field Communication (NFC) pins and business cards that were issued during this year’s Expo. Expo 2025 Osaka, held over a six-month period, concluded on October 13 and was staged under the overarching theme, ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.

Technology

EU Reaffirms Commitment to Work With Young People and Communities

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside communities and young people in Jamaica, as the EU-sponsored BRIDGE Project has concluded, following 34 months of impactful work across the island. Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Jamaica, Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, said the initiative represented more than a development project, describing it as a shared investment in the potential of Jamaica’s youth. He reaffirmed that the European Union remains steadfast in its partnership with Jamaica, particularly in initiatives that empower young people and promote safer communities. “The European Union remains committed to working alongside communities and young people, to help create a future where education, opportunity, and safety are accessible to all,” Mr. Ruiz emphasised. He was speaking at the project’s graduation and closing-out ceremony, held recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. “It is a privilege to be here on behalf of the European Union to mark the closing of the BRIDGE Project after 34 months of work with communities across Jamaica. This project has been about creating opportunities and supporting young people, many from challenging backgrounds, to take steps towards a better future,” he said. Mr. Ruiz noted that the BRIDGE (Building through Reintegration, Intervention, Development, Growth, and Education) Project has been an important component of the EU’s long-standing partnership with Jamaica, particularly in advancing citizen security and social development. “The EU has been in Jamaica for many years, supporting citizen security by involving civil society organisations in the national effort to prevent crime and violence. Through these joint efforts, it helps create the foundation for a safer, more sustainable, and prosperous future for all,” he said. Addressing the close to 60 attending graduates from a cohort of more than 300, Mr. Ruiz lauded their resilience and commitment to succeed, despite the obstacles they encountered. “To the young people present in the room, we celebrate not only the certifications you are receiving but also, and above all, the efforts you have made to invest in yourselves, your skills, and your communities,” he said. “For many of you, this might be a first-time experience, attending a graduation, and it shows your strength and determination in the face of real challenges,” Mr. Ruiz added. He explained that the BRIDGE Project was designed to create pathways for reintegration, personal growth, education, and employment. Through partnerships with the MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) and Crime Stop Jamaica, he said the initiative reached youth in communities that often face barriers to opportunity. “The progress you have made, whether at school, in behaviour, or in acquiring skills for the job market, will have positive effects beyond just yourselves. It will impact your families, your neighbours, and your communities for the time to come,” Mr. Ruiz said. “Your achievements matter. The values you have learned – respect, perseverance, and hope – are important tools that you carry with you as you move ahead. The skills, arts, mentorship, and other support offered through this project are just a few ways we hope you can express and build your confidence,” he continued. Mr. Ruiz extended appreciation to the wide network of stakeholders who supported the project. “I also want to acknowledge and thank all of the many partners who have made this possible. To public-sector institutions such as the Ministries of National Security and Peace and Education, Youth, Skills and Information; private organisations; civil society groups; mentors; facilitators; service providers, and each individual who has contributed to this effort, your commitment has been essential,” he said. The BRIDGE Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the MultiCare Youth Foundation, was executed over three years and targeted at-risk youth in five communities across Kingston and St. Andrew, Clarendon, Westmoreland, and St. James. The programme provided literacy support, mentorship, employability training, counselling, and behavioural therapy, aimed at fostering personal and community resilience.

Technology

NSWMA Extends Hours for Street Sweepers In St. Thomas

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has approved extended working hours for sweepers in St. Thomas as part of targeted efforts to address the accumulation of silt along roadways, particularly in the western section of the parish. In recent months, mounting concerns have emerged regarding the accumulation of silt and other aggregates along segments of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, particularly between Bull Bay and Albion. Speaking during the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on October 9, NSWMA Public Cleansing Inspector in charge of Western St. Thomas, Kashane Grossett, indicated that the extended hours granted to sweepers will directly address the buildup of silt and debris along affected roadways. He appealed for collaboration involving the Municipal Corporation and the local police, stating that such support would “help us maximise the effect of this initiative”. Citing the buildup of silt as a significant safety hazard, Mr. Grossett emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration. “By collaborating with the police during these extended hours, we can assure smoother operations, enhance the safety of our workers, and ultimately create a cleaner and safer environment for everyone within this section of the parish,” he stated. Mr. Grossett also called on the Municipal Corporation and the police to assist in enforcing compliance among truck operators who are improperly transporting material and, thereby, contributing to the ongoing issue. “We are asking [for] whatever the Municipal Corporation can do and the police to help us to see how best we can stop these trucks that are traversing along the roadways and dumping a lot of silt, which is causing… accidents. We want to see how best we can eliminate this problem with your partnership,” he said.